The Pastor's Message

Dear Parishioners,

We have completed our series of Solemn Feast Days and have returned to Ordinary Time.  This time of the Liturgical Year is the series of numbered weeks in the Church calendar.  During this time, we use green to symbolize ordinary growth in the daily life of the Church. 

This week we hear from Chapter 4 of Mark’s Gospel where he explains that Jesus often used parables to teach His disciples the message He was presenting.  This use of parables was a way of teaching that allowed the listeners to interpret the message and relate the teaching to a common experience.  In the parable this week, Jesus is comparing the farmer sowing seed in his field to the reign of God.  He plants seed and waits for it to grow and produce for the harvest.  This is how it is for God and our faith experience.  The seed of faith is given to us in Baptism and nourished by our parents, teachers, and the Church.  We do not readily see our faith grow; however, after years of coming to Mass, hearing scripture, receiving the Sacraments, and seeing the example of others, we have a deep faith and are prepared for the Kingdom of God.  We do not readily know when our faith began and how it grew, but we know that we are children of God and disciples of Jesus.

The second example that we hear in today’s Gospel is the comparison of the mustard seed and the fully developed shrub with branches large enough for shade and a home for birds.  Like the mustard seed that is the smallest of all seeds, the seed of faith is so small that we do not see it or even appreciate it until it is fully grown and provides for us shelter and a home with the Lord.  As we grow in faith, we may not fully understand or even appreciate what we have until we take time to rest in the shade of our faith and reflect on our experiences of God.

We learn our faith by parables, examples of others, and reflecting on scripture as we apply it to our daily lives.  As Jesus says, “Those who have ears ought to hear.”  We have heard God in our life and our faith helps us to rest comfortably in the shade of His love.
Fr. George P. Blais


 

Dear Parishioners,

This week we celebrate the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi; The Body and Blood of Christ.  This Feast commemorates the day that Jesus gave us His Body and Blood in the Eucharist as He celebrated the Feast of Passover with His disciples.  The Eucharist is the central element of our Catholic Faith because it is the nourishment that we receive from Jesus to do His work in the world.

Jesus sacrificed His Body and Blood on the Cross for our sake so that we might have eternal life.  He shed His blood for each one of us, but before He did this, He instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist as our food for the journey through our earthly pilgrimage.

When we receive the Eucharist, we are not receiving bread and wine, but the Body and Blood of Jesus.  He is truly present in the Eucharist so that we can go into the world bringing His Body and Blood to all the world.  When we receive the host, we receive His Body and His Blood that was shed for us.

During this past year of the pandemic, we have not been able to receive His Body and Blood as often as we would like, and this was very difficult for all of us; however, this time of not having the Eucharist gave us the opportunity to hunger for it and give us a greater appreciation of what it is that we are receiving.  When we come forward, we hear the words; “The Body of Christ.”  Our response is; “Amen,” which means; “I believe.”  It is important to say “Amen” with meaning and conviction.

Unlike other faith traditions who may have communion in their service, we believe in the REAL PRESENCE.  Jesus is truly present Body and Blood in our communion.  Our communion is not a remembrance of the Last Supper or a representation of Jesus.  It is in fact, Jesus’ Body and Blood that we are receiving so that we are nourished for our daily mission to bring what we have received to all who we encounter.  We are the Body and Blood of Christ. 

Fr. George P. Blais